UNDER CONSTRUCTION! Welcome to our new site – we are still wrapping up a few things, so you may see placeholder content in some areas.

Activities  Events  Places  Rentals

Buy A Pass

Moth Expert June 2024

Member Events

Moth Expert June 2024

Member Event with Moth Expert Jeanette Jaskula

Member Event: Return of Moth Expert

For the second summer in a row, Eagle Creek Park Foundation has been lucky to host Indiana moth expert Jeanette Jaskula for a presentation and night of moth hunting. In her presentation “Welcome to the Dark Side,” Jeanette took a captivated crowd through everything from identification, taxonomy, moths as pollinators, and moths in pop culture. After an exciting round of Q&A with Jeanette, our members were invited to watch for moths at the baited trees and near the light setups. By the end of the evening we saw a couple dozen moth species represented, including the Dead-Wood Borer Moth and the beautiful Glossy Black Idia Moth.

 

About the guest

Jeanette Jaskula is an Indiana-based moth expert and President of Friends of the Sands, the non-profit friends group for the Kankakee Sands region in Northwest Indiana. 

Check out Jeanette’s iNaturalist profile >

 

Date
June 24, 2024
Location
Earth Discovery Center

 

ENHANCE

Approximately 40 Eagle Creek Park Foundation Members, friends, and staff learned about moths. Then they attracted moths with two different kinds of lights and a secret recipe from our guest expert, Jeanette. What an amazing hands-on opportunity to learn about our night-time friends – the moths!

 

Return of the Moth Expert - Gallery
Two individuals standing beside a bright light source on a white surface during an outdoor event at night.
Close-up of a moth identification guide on gravel, featuring various moth illustrations and a flashlight illuminating the page.
Schedule for National Moth Week events from July 18 to July 27, featuring locations and dates for activities in Indiana and Nashville.
A dark-colored moth blending into the textured surface of tree bark, showcasing its natural camouflage in a forest environment.
Participants conducting a light experiment with a green light source and various tools on a white surface.
Close-up of moths resting on a textured natural surface, showcasing their muted colors and wing patterns.
Close-up of a moth resting on tree bark, showcasing its natural camouflage and texture against the wood.
Image of a moth identification guide featuring assorted owlets including Common Arugia, Dead Wood Borer Moth, Thin-Winged Owlet, and Large Hyponoe.

Membership means more than park access

 

At the Moth Event

Members went deep on moths with our favorite local expert, Jeanette Jaskula. We learned about the fancy colors and important role moths play in our delicate ecosystems. Check out out or gallery of images from the night.

 

This event was member-only. Members receive invites to roughly monthly member events.

To find out more about Memberships and Passes click here >

Champion Trees Hike April 2024

Member Events

Champion Trees Hike 2024

Champion Trees Hike with Marty Risch

Member Event: Champion Trees Hike

A Journey Through Eagle Creek’s Living Giants

Our recent member-exclusive event took 25 nature enthusiasts on an unforgettable hike along the West Side Hiking Trail of Eagle Creek Park, beginning at Eagle’s Crest. This 4-mile journey showcased the Foundation’s commitment to protecting and enhancing the park’s natural treasures. Led by Marty, who served as an Eagle Creek Park Ranger in the 1970s and has been an environmental scientist for over 40 years, members gained a unique perspective on the park’s champion trees and ecological stewardship.

Highlights of the Trail
A Walk Among Giants

The hike featured stops at some of the park’s most remarkable trees, including a 170-year-old tulip tree grove, a 240-year-old American Beech, and a 310-year-old Bur Oak, one of the largest in the park. Marty shared stories and insights at each stop, demonstrating how to measure a tree’s age by calculating its circumference and applying a growth factor. Members also learned a simpler method—hugging the tree to gauge its girth—which added a fun and interactive element.

Learning Through Observation and Stewardship

By showcasing the Champion Trees program, the event aimed to inspire members to become good stewards of the park. Marty’s discussions emphasized how understanding and protecting these ancient giants is essential for preserving the park’s history and ecological balance. Members also visited several tree mitigation sites, where new trees are planted to replace those that are cut down.

Secrets of the Forest: Mycelium Networks

One of the most captivating moments of the event was learning about the mycelium networks beneath the forest floor. Marty highlighted sections of the trail rich with older trees, explaining how these interconnected roots communicate and share resources, creating a healthier forest floor and more vibrant understory. Members observed how these areas have fewer invasive species and more thriving native plants.

 

About the guest

Marty Risch spent most of his career and an environmental scientist working for the state of Indiana and Federal Government. He was a Eagle Creek Park Ranger in the 1970’s. Today he’s a member of the Eagle Creek Advisory Committee and is a regular, enthusiastic volunteer for the Trail Crew. He developed Eagle Creek Parks fantastic Champion Trees program, which was the impetus behind this member event and hike.

 Check out Marty’s Big Tree Registry >

 

Date
April 19, 2024
Location
West Side Trail (via Eagle’s Crest)

 

PROTECT

The Champion Trees project began when Marty discovered a 300-year-old tree had been accidentally felled on the golf course. This loss spurred his mission to identify, study, and raise public awareness about Eagle Creek Park’s rare, massive trees. Since much of the park was once farmland and clear-cut, only a few of these remarkable trees remain.

ENHANCE

During the event, members gained a deeper appreciation for the rarity and significance of these ancient giants. Marty’s work protects these vital trees, ensuring their legacy and the park’s natural heritage are preserved.

 

Podcast Episode with Marty

Adam sits down with Marty to learn about the Champion Trees program. You, too can experience the hike!

Champion Trees Hike - Gallery
Group of people engaged in a nature walk discussion in a forested area, surrounded by trees and greenery.
A group of people engaged in a discussion during a nature walk in a wooded area, showcasing outdoor exploration and learning.
Group of people gathered around a large tree during a nature walk, learning about tree species and conservation efforts.
Nature guide presenting information to a small group in a forested area, showcasing outdoor education and engagement.
A group of people participating in a nature walk, listening to a guide in a wooded area.

Membership means more than park access

 

At the the Champion Trees Hike

Members explored Eagle Creek Park’s majestic champion trees with Marty, a seasoned environmental expert. The hike revealed the hidden stories of these ancient giants and showcased how members can play a part in preserving the park’s natural legacy. Check out our gallery of memorable moments from this inspiring day.

 

This event was member-only. Members receive invites to roughly monthly member events.

To find out more about Memberships and Passes click here >

Author Talk April 2024

Member Events

Author Talk April 2024

Member Event with Author Jeff Darren Muse

Jeff Darren Muse Author Talk

Jeff Darren Muse, author of the nationwide memoir Dear Park Ranger, shared his heartfelt journey with members of the Eagle Creek Park Foundation during a special event. Known for his uncommon storytelling, Jeff’s work celebrates a deep reconnection with his Indiana roots. Accompanied by his wife, Paula—the “Park Ranger” featured in the book—Jeff captivated the audience by reading select essays from his memoir.

Throughout the afternoon, Jeff engaged in meaningful conversations with the audience, exploring themes such as the importance of nature, community, and his personal battle with cancer. His insightful reflections encouraged attendees to share their own thoughts on what they cherish most about nature, creating a space for dialogue and mutual appreciation.

Following Jeff’s talk, Assistant Park Manager Donna Riner, a certified forest therapy practitioner, led a session of forest bathing around the Ornithology Center. This meditative experience, akin to an active mindfulness session with guided prompts, allowed members to connect deeply with the natural surroundings. The combination of Jeff’s inspiring storytelling and Donna’s peaceful nature walk left a lasting impression on all who attended.

About the the book

Jeff Darren Muse is a fatherless, childless Hoosier who wouldn’t and couldn’t stay put. Part Generation X travelogue, part love letter, part reflection on White male identity, Dear Park Ranger searches for purpose, companionship, a lost father, and home.

Check out Dear Park Ranger >

 

Date
April 16, 2024
Location
Ornithology Center
Guest
Jeff Darren Muse – Author
Enhance

20 Eagle Creek Park Foundation Members, friends, and staff engaged with Jeff and other members about his new book, Dear Park Ranger, and the themes therein. Jeff and his wife Paula (the park ranger from the book) just moved back to Indiana and are looking for a community. Our members greeted them – Jeff and Paula know they are always welcome at Eagle Creek Park!

Jeff Darren Muse Author Talk - Gallery
Man wearing a headset stands in front of historic cabins surrounded by trees and moss, showcasing a blend of nature and architecture.
A man and a woman presenting in a conference room with a projector screen and wooden decor.
A community meeting featuring a speaker and engaged audience members in a well-lit room with informational posters on the walls.
Group of people attending a presentation in a conference room with a speaker and a projector displaying a map.
A group of people seated on tree stumps in a natural setting, engaged in a discussion led by a woman in a brown shirt.
A male volunteer in a uniform stands near an Adopt-A-River sign, representing the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
A woman wearing sunglasses and a cap stands on a mountain summit, showcasing hiking gear and a scenic backdrop of mountains.
A mountain climber in shorts and a helmet ascends a snowy slope with a trekking pole, showcasing outdoor adventure and winter sports.
A tranquil river flows through lush green trees under a cloudy sky at sunset, reflecting soft light on the water's surface.
A young child wearing a striped shirt and a bandage on their head, standing in front of a vintage car.
A tranquil pond surrounded by trees, featuring green lily pads and two people observing the water in a natural setting.

Membership means more than park access

 

At the author Talk

Members went deep with Jeff, his wife Paula, and each other as we discussed nature, our place in it, and greater purpose. Members found community and provided community to our re-Hoosiering guest.

 

This event was member-only. Members receive invites to roughly monthly member events.

To find out more about Memberships and Passes click here >